Friday prayer: God around us, God in us

Why are we so slow to recognize you, God?

Sure, you come in many guises,

but you give us an awful lot of clues.

Wherever there is beauty,

there you are.

However our bodies and souls are nourished,

there you are.

Whenever there is delight,

there you are.

Whomever offers us connection and belonging,

there you are.

Whatever progress is made toward a more just world,

there you are.

Somehow, though, not only is it hard to see you around us,

it’s also often difficult to see you in us.

We don’t like what’s reflected in the mirror,

what we hear in our recorded voices,

what bubbles up in us in our most unkind or vulnerable moments,

what we feel like we lack in talent or recognition or worth.

And yet, we are made in your image,

just like everyone else around us.

Clear away all that keeps us from recognizing you.

Grow our awareness of your presence within.

Join us at the heart with your beloved ones around us.

And in so doing,

reveal to us your presence

and give us your peace.

Amen.

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Laura Stephens-Reed is a clergy and congregational coach working with ministers and churches across the ecumenical spectrum. Having served in a variety of pastoral roles and denominations, she is primarily affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and has ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Based in northwest Alabama (United States), Laura is married to a United Methodist pastor, and they have a eight-year-old son. She blogs weekly at laurastephensreed.com.

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Laura Stephens-Reed is a clergy and congregational coach working with ministers and churches across the ecumenical spectrum. Having served in a variety of pastoral roles and denominations, she is primarily affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and has ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Based in northwest Alabama (United States), Laura is married to a United Methodist pastor, and they have a eight-year-old son. She blogs weekly at laurastephensreed.com.